Have you landed on this blog for the first time? If the answer is yes, chances are you’ll be curious to learn more about Sierra Leone. Maybe you’ve heard about our beautiful country but don’t know much about it, where it is and what to find if you were to visit.That’s why we’ve decided to put together this post with important information about Sierra Leone, with newbies and first-time travellers in mind. One thing is certain – your first visit will be one of many!
Things You Need to Know about Sierra Leone
Where is Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone is located in West Africa, about 900 km north of the Equator, on the Atlantic Coast. It borders two countries – Guinea to the north, and Liberia to the southeast.
What is its nickname?
Locals call the country Salone! That’s why our Instagram account is Tourism Salone.
What is the capital?
The capital of Sierra Leone is Freetown in the northern part of the country, on the Atlantic Ocean. Freetown is located on the Peninsula of the same name, where you’ll also find some of the best beaches in Sierra Leone.
How many people live in Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone is home to 7,8 million people according to the last census in 2019. The largest city is capital Freetown, home to 850,000 people (over 10% of the entire population) – after Freetown, the largest cities are Bo in the southern part of the country (150,000 inhabitants), and Kenema in the east (130,000 inhabitants).
What is the main religion?
Sierra Leone is a secular country and has no official state religion. The two most common religions are Islam (77% of people ) and Christianity (22%). The remaining 1% of the population practices traditional beliefs, still common in rural areas. Sierra Leone promotes pluralism and religious tolerance, and it’s not uncommon for people in the same family to practice different religions.
What are the ethnicities?
Sierra Leone is home to 16 ethnicities, each with their own language. The most common ethnicities are Temne and Mende, each encompassing approximately one third of the population. Temne are mainly found in northern Sierra Leone, whereas Mende are more common in the south. The Krio, descendants of freed African slaves, only make up 1,3% of Sierra Leone’s population, but the Krio language is the country’s official language alongside English.
What about cuisine?
Ah, the cuisine of Sierra Leone is delicious, with lots of seafood dishes and other interesting food and drink specialties. It’s interesting to know that you’ll also find lots of Lebanese food around Sierra Leone, because the country is home to a sizeable Lebanese community.
